Torch



Feb. 11 1941,. E. H. 'Smm TORCH Filed Deo. 20, 1957 E2 MER /7 Q mm *JWNf. /MNWWMM/ S1 N W E 74, f j w KX mN @NR Q N mw Nm mm #m ,mm/@mm THM Q,K Q N m u N Q @n Nm ATTczA/EYS Patented Peli. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE mesne assignments, to Smith Welding Equipment Corporation,Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Appiieeuen neeember zo,1937, serial Ne. 180,129 '9 claim.4 (ci. 15s-27.4)

'Ihis invention relates to new yand useful improvements in cutting andwelding torches.

An objectlof the present invention is to provide a cutting andweldingtorch provided with novel meansforattaching the tip to th'e bodythereof, without the use of tapered seats or bores, wherebyv the cost'ofmanufacture is simplified.

A further object is to provide-a torch of the character 'describedcomprising a handle .portion having a head secured to one end thereofand' provided with a cylindrical bore adapted to receive a correspondingshaped portion voi? the torch up, and which eynndriearpertien is securedin said bore in leakproof relation by a conveniently 1 5 operableclamping nut. f

A- more specic object of .theinvention is to provide a :weldingtorchcomprising ahead having a cylindrical bore therein for slidablyreceiving a cylindrical *end portion -oi' the torch tip, the flt betweenthe wall of said tip portion and the vwall of the bore being such as tosubstantially prevent leakage ofthe' gases :between said walls, -wherebythe use of threads or a `'seat to keep the Vgases separate at this pointmay be entirely dispensed with, and the tip being se supportent4 that)it may readily be rotatively adjusted in said bore to position the outeroffset or bent end portion of the tip -at any desired angle with respectto the torch handle. I

A further obj ect is-to provide a torch comprising a hollow body havingone end adapted for connection to a source of oxygen, and a suitablefuel gas, and having a head secured to its opposite end and providedwith a cylindrical bore having 3 means connecting it to the oxygen andfuel supply, and the torch tip having a cylindrical portion adapted tobe received in said bore and provided with an annular sealing ringadapted to be clamped between a shoulder provided at one end 4 of fthebore and a simple clamping nut, thereby to secure the torch tip to saidbody, and whereby the torch tip may be rotatively adjusted, and asuitable nozzle being provided at the inner end of said cylindricalportion which communicates with the'oxygensupply. and a plurality ofducts being provided in the wall of said cylindrical portion adjacentthe discharge end ofsaid nozzle, whereby the oxygen and acetylene, orother fuel gas, may 5/ be delivered into the mixing chamber to provide ahighly combustible fuel mixture, means being provided for independentlycontrolling the supplies of oxygen and fuel gas to the torch tip.

Other objects of the invention will appear from M the followingdescription and accompanying drawing and will be ypointed out in theannexed claims. In the accompanying drawing there has been disclosed astructure designed to carry out the various objects oi` the invention,but it is to be v*understood-that the llnventionis not connned to theexact features shown as various changes may -be made within the scope ofthe claims which follow.

4 In the drawing: lFigure 1 is a side elevational view of a torchpartially broken away to show the connection between the torch tip andthe handle portlonof the torch;

Figure 2 is an enlarged 'detail sectional view on -the line 2-2 ofFigure 1, to more clearly illustrate the means provided for detachablysecuring the torch tip .'to the torch body;

Figure 3 is a cross-)sectional view on the line 3--3 of FlgureilfandFigure 4 is a view showing the torch tip detached from the torch body.

In the selected embodiment of the invention `here shown, there isillustrated in Figure 1, a

welding torch of more'or less conventional construction, comprising ahollow body 2, whichpreferably is uted, as best illustrated in Figure'3,- to

provide a convenient hand grip. 'I'he handle 2 is -provided at one endwith a valve mechanism,

generally indicated by the numeral 3, `which comprises independentlyoperable control valves 4 and 5 havingthreaded nipples 6 and 1, one o fwhich is adapted 'to be connected to a supply of'oxygen and the other toa supply of a suitable fuel gas such as acetylene, vor any other fuelgas suitable for the purpose. In the present instance, I have shown thevalve I as controlling the supply of oxygen to the torch tip and thevalve 5f controlling the supply of fuel gas.

, One of the important features of the present invention resides in thenovel means provided for detachably securing the usual torch tip 8 tothe body or handle 2 ofthe torch. As best illustrated in Figure 2, thetorch tip 8 is composed of a tube,- like member 9 having a threaded endportion II adapted to be secured in a threaded socket I 2 provided atone end of a member, generally indicated by the numeral I3. 'I'hismember is preferably cylindrical .in .cross-section, and has its innerend portion I4 slightly reduced in diameter to provide an annularshoulder I5 against which is seated an annular sealingglng I 6, bored tosnugly fit the reduced portion I4. The sealing ring I6 is preferablyprovided with oppositely disposed conical faces Il, as shown.

The inner end of the member i3 is interiorly threaded to receive anozzle I8 having a conical tip I9 received in a correspondingly shapedbore 2l provided in the. member I3. The walls of the bore 2`I are spacedfrom the adjacent wall oi the tip I9 to provide a uid passage 22,communicating with one end of a bore 23 provided inthe member I3. ATheopposite end of the bore 23 communicates withone end of a chamber 24,the opposite end of which is in direct communication with the luidpassage in the tube 3, which forms a pant of the torch tip 8, e

The nozzle I8 is detachably supported in the member I3 and has a bore25, one end of which communicates with a small passage 26 provided inthe tip of the nozzle. The bore 25 of the nozzle communicates with oneend of a pipe 2l, the opposite end of which is suitably connectedto theintake nipple t through the oxygen control valve it.

The cylindrical member i3 of the torch tip is adjustably and detachablysupported in a head 28. This head is secured to one end or the hollowbody 2 forming the torch handle, by such means as welding, and has acylindrical bore l29 adapted to receive the inner` reduced. end portionid of the member i3. An annular seat 3i surrounds the mouth of the bore29, and is adapted to be engaged by one side of the sealing ring I3, asclearly illustrated in Figure 2. The opposite side of the sealing ringis engaged bythe inner end of a suitable clamping nut 32, received inthreaded engagement with the head 28, as shown. By tightening the nut32, the sealing ring It is clamped between the shoulder or seat 3|andthe inner. lend of the nut 32, whereby it is compressed against thewalls of the inner end portion It of the member I3, thereby to tightlyseal the connection between the member i3 and head 2B',-to preventleakage of the gases from the torch head to the atmosphere.

The inner end of the head 28 is relatively smaller in diameter than thebore of the handle or body 2 of the torch to provide an annular uidpassage 33 which is in communication with the chamber 3d provided withinthe body 2 of the torch. This chamber is also in communication with vthenipple 'I through the valve 5, whereby V sage 33 and an the supply offuel gas controlled by manipulation of the valve 5.

A plurality oi lateral apertures 35 are shown provided in the wall ofthe head 28 which establish communication between the annular pasannulargroove 36 provided in the periphery of the cylindrical end portion I4 ofthe member I3.l

l connect the groove 36 with the conical uid passag 22 surrounding thetip of the nozzle I8.

Another feature of the invention resides in the construction of theparts I4 and 28. As best shown in Figure 2, the annular groove 36 isspaced outwardly in .an axial direction from the inner end of thecylindrical portion I4 of the member I3 of the torch tip, thereby toincrease the length of the nt of the end portion I4 in the bore 29,between the lateral passages 35-31 and the inner end or the portion I4.By thus outwardly spacing the groove 36 from the inner end of theportion I4, leakage of the two gases between the Walls of the bore 29and cylindrical portion I4 is substantially eliminated, because of thehigh resistance oiered to gas flow between said walls. The cylindricalportion I4Yis1ltted within the bore 29 with sufcient clearance to permitfree rotation thereof, when the nut 32 is operated, thereby to permitfree mixing, thereby providing to the chamber 34 may be Lateral fluidpassages 31 gestitol rotary adjustment of the torch tip, whereby theoffset or bent terminal 8 thereof may be positioned at any desired.angle with respect to the torch body and handle. The. aforementionedclearance however, is `so, small that the resistance offered to gas flowbetween the walls of the portion It and bore 23 is so great that leakageof the gases therebetween is substantially eliminated, even though theremay be quite a difference in the pressures of the two gases.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that when the valves 3 and 5 areopened, oxygen and fuel gas will be delivered into the passage 23 of themember I3, where they are intermixed and then pass into the expansionchamber 2d for further a highly combustible fuel mixture which mayreadily be ignited, when projected from the orice 38 of the torch tip 3.The diierent gases may readily be controlled by manipulation of thevalves 4 and 5, which are arranged for independent operation, wherebythe most efficient economic fuel mixture may be obtained.

By utilizing the novel means herein disclosed for attaching the torchtip to the torch body,

the tip may readily and conveniently be rotatably or tapered fits, as isnow more or less common in structures of this general type. Also, bymaking the reduced end portion It of the member i3 .and the bore 29cylindrical, economy in manufacture is eected. It will also be notedthat the annular shoulder vI5 provided on the member I3 limits themovement of the sealing ring IS in one direction, whereby the fluidpassages 35 will always be alined with the annular groove 36. providedin the end portion I4 of the member I3, when the torch tip is attachedto the body 2.

It is to be understood that the sealing ring I6 is preferably of .ametal which may be contracted by pressure, whereby when clamped be` Imeans at one end for connecting it'to supplies 0f oxygen land fuel gas,a head secured to the opposite end of said body and having a cylindricalbore therein, means connecting the inner end of the bore to theoxygen'supply, a plurality of lateral uid passages in said head spacedoutwardly from the inner end of the bore, a torch tip having acylindrical portion received in said bore between saidlateral passagesand the inner vend of the bore, the diameter of said cylindrical portionbeing substantially three thousandths of an inch smaller than the bore,thereby permitting the torch tip to be relatively adjusted with respectto the torch body, .and the t between the wall of saidcylindricalportion and the wall of the bore being such'as .tosubstantially prevent the leakage of gas therebetween.

2. A torch comprising a hollow body having a head secured to'one endthereof, avcylindrical 75.

bore in said head, means connecting the inner end of said bore to asupply of oxygen, a lateral passage in said head communicating with asupply of fuel gas, said passage being spaced out- 3. A torch comprisinga hollow body forming' the handle of the torch, a head secured to oneend of said body and having a portion extending into the handle, saidhead having a cylindrical bore therein, means connecting the bottom ofsaid bore to a supply of oxygen, a torch tip-having an angularlydisposed tip and provided at its opposite end with a. cylindrical endportion adapted to be received in said bore, said cylindrical portionhaving a lateral fluid passage connected at ne end with a supply of fuelgas, the

Aopposite end of said passage communicating with a passage provided inthe wall of the inwardly extending portion of the torch head, saidlateral passages establishing communication between the supply of fuelgas and a gas passage provided within the torch tip, said lateralpassages being spaced outwardly in an axial direction from the bottom ofthe bore, whereby the portiton of the cylindrical end of the torch tipreceived in said bore between the bottom of the bore and said lateralpassage, is sufficiently long to preventA leakage of the gases betweenthe wall of said end portion and the wall of the bore and the fit ofsaid cylindrical end portion being such as to permit the torch tip to berotatively adjusted with respect to the torch body. a

4. A welding torch comprising a hollow body forming the handle of thetorch, a head secured to one end of said body and having a portionextending into the handle, the diameter ofwhich is relatively smallerthan the bore of the handle, thereby to provide an annular passagearound said inwardly extending portion which is connected to a source offuel gas, said head having a cylindrical bore therein, means forconnecting the bottom of said bore to a supply ofoxygen, a torchtip-having an angularly disposed tip and provided at its opposite endwith a cylindrical en d portion adapted to be received in said bore,said cylindrical portion having a plurality of lateral uid passagescommunicating with similar passages provided in the wall of the inwardlyextending portion of the torch head, said lateral passages establishingcommunication between the annular passage around the inwardly extendingend portion of the torch head and a gas passage provided within thecylindrical end portion of the torch tip, said lateral passages beingspaced outwardly in an axial direction from the bottom of the bore,whereby-the portion of the cylindrical end of the torch tip' received insaid bore 5. A torch comprising a handle member through which the oxygenand fuel gas supply pass, a head member fixed in one end of said handlemember and having a screw threaded portion at one end and a cylindricalbore, said head member also having a plurality of fluid passages, atorch tip supporting member having a cylindrical portion with a reducedend portion extending into said bore in said head member, saidcylindrical portion having a longitudinal passage for the gases andlateral passages t0 cooperate with the passages in the head member,sealing means provided yaround the reduced end portion adjacent thecylindrical portion, and clamping means in threaded engagement with thethreaded portion of the head member to secure the supporting memberagainst rotation relative to the handle in one position when theclamping means istightened in its threaded engagement in the head memberagainst the seal ing means and tc permit rotation of the reduced endportion of the cylindrical bore of the head member in another positionthereof.

6. A torch comprising a handle member through which the oxygen and fuelgas supply pass, a head member xed in one end of said handle member andhaving a screw threaded portion at one end and a cylindrical bore, saidhead member also having a plurality of spaced lateral iiuid passages, atorch tip supporting member having a cylindrical portion with a reducedend portion extending into said bore in said head member, saidcylindrical portion having a longitudinal passage for the gases andlateral passages to cooperate with the lateral passages in the headmember, `an annular sealing ring provided around the reduced endportionadjacent the cylindrical portion, and a threaded nut in threadedengagement with the threaded portion of the head member tosecure thesupporting 4member against rotation relative to the handle in oneposition when the nut is tightened in its threaded engagement in thehead member against the sealing ring and to permit rotation of thereduced end portion of the cylindrical portion of the head member in thecylindrical bore of the head member in another position thereof.

7. A torch comprisinga handle member -through which the gaseous fluidspass, a head cylindrical portions, said supporting member beingrotatably adjustable relative to the handle member by means of thereduced end portion freely rotating in the cylindrical bore, and readilyreleasable means cooperating with the engaging portion and the reducedend portion to securethe supporting member against rotation in the headmember and to tightly seal the cylindrical portion of the supportingmember and the head member to prevent leakage of the fluids from thetorch.

8. A torch according to claim 7, in which the reduced portion isprovided with an annular peripheral groove and the head-member andreduced portion have a plurality of laterally spaced apertures a-ndpassages communicating with the grciive for the passage of one of thegaseous 9. A torch according to claim 7, in which the gaseos fluids,andin which the means -ncludes reduced portion is provided with anannular an annular sealing ring provided adjacent the peripheral grooveand the head member and shoulder and incontact with the head memberreduced portion have a.VA plurality of laterally around 'the reducedportion. vli spaced apertures and passages communicating t 5 with thegroove for the passage oi one of the Y Y l ELMERH. SMITH.

